Kerry Wood, Cleveland
Well, well, look who’s hot. Just when we were about to write him off, Wood is back from the dead. The former Cub went 3-for-3 in saves this past week and he struck out six batters with just one walk and one hit allowed. If Wood can continue to show improved fastball command, then he could be worth a flyer.

Brian Fuentes, Los Angeles
With Fernando Rodney around, Fuentes can never get too comfortable. However, he earned some breathing room after a stellar week in which he appeared in four games without allowing a hit or a run and he saved three games. Fuentes posted a 4.66 ERA in June but he suffered from a .344 BABIP. Rodney, meanwhile, has allowed nine hits – with just one strikeout – in his last six innings pitched.

Alfredo Simon, Baltimore
Simon is one of those first-year closers that you just don’t want to put too much faith in. He’s a solid second or third option on your roster, though, and he’s coming off of a great week in which he saved three games in as many tries. Simon also recorded a win. He struck out four batters in 4.0 innings and gave up two hits and a walk.

Mariano Rivera, New York
Yawn. Next…

Jon Rauch, Minnesota
Rauch definitely did not have a terrible month, but he failed to record a save and actually blew a save on July 1 against Tampa Bay by allowing one earned run. Since June 19, Rauch has appeared in four games and has blown two saves without recording a successful conversion. His troubles, though, have not been related to the base on ball… Rauch has walked just one batter in the past 21 games.

Chris Perez, Cleveland
If Wood can continue to pitch well over the first three weeks of July, he could end up being a pretty inexpensive addition to the bullpen of a playoff-bound team. The beneficiary of such a deal would be Perez, who has been throwing well. The third-year pitcher struck out seven batters in 4.0 innings this past week. His ERA has also dipped each of the past three months from 4.05 in April to 3.09 to 2.13 in June.

Octavio Dotel, Pittsburgh
It’s been a very frustrating season for Dotel owners. His performance has been up and down all year. Despite that fact, he remains a great reliever to have on your roster if he’s your second or third closer and you can afford to bench him during his cold spells. Dotel is currently on a hot streak right now and he saved three games this past week. He struck out five batters in 4.0 innings and did not allow an earned run.

John Axford, Milwaukee
It’s always hard to trust a rookie closer, but Axford – like Dotel – is a perfect second or third closer. The hard-throwing Canadian was a perfect 3-for-3 in saves this past week, although he gave up one earned run, three hits and two walks. He struck out six batters and now has a strikeout rate of 11.45 K/9 on the year (22.0 innings).

Billy Wagner, Atlanta
Wagner appeared in just two games this past week but he recorded a pair of saves and gave up just one hit and no walks. The veteran closer struck out six of the seven batters that he faced. Now that is dominating. Wagner did not give up a run in the month of June (11.1 innings) and he struck out 17.

Carlos Marmol, Chicago
Marmol had a rough week despite going 1-for-1 in saves and striking out seven batters in 3.2 innings. The big right-hander walked four batters and gave up five hits, which led to three runs. The walk rate of 6.38 BB/9 is definitely worrisome but the overall ERA, save total and strikeout rate are all sound. His ERA has risen each month, though, so the high pitch totals (as a result of the strikeout and walk totals) could be catching up to him.

Brian Wilson, San Francisco
Wilson had a respectable week but he had to pitch out of trouble. The right-handed closer allowed five hits and three walks in 2.1 innings this past week. He posted a 1.98 ERA in June but his xFIP was 3.88 and he gave up a lot of hits (15 in 13.2 innings).

Aaron Heilman, Arizona
With the firings of Manager A.J. Hinch and General Manager Josh Byrnes, there is a lot of change going on in Arizona. Heilman should continue to get some saves, but don’t invest too heavily in him with all the uncertainty. With that said, he did have a respectable week. He saved two games but also blew a save and took the loss despite not allowing an earned run. Heilman, 31, could potentially rack up some saves in Arizona but he’s not going to pile up strikeouts and his ERA will likely be average. Still, it’s hard to find new sources of saves this time of year.

We all know about Robinson Cano’s MVP-caliber season so far in 2010, which has him ranked as the fifth most valuable player in standard 5X5 Yahoo leagues, but don’t forget about the keystone warrior in Atlanta.

Martin Prado, 26, is leading the Majors in hits (104 in 74 games) and was just one of four players with more than 100 base knocks. He is also sixth in the Majors in batting average at .332. Overall, he has a triple-slash line of .332/.373/.473 in 319 at-bats. According to Yahoo’s standard 5X5 ranking, he’s the fourth most valuable second baseman in the Majors right now.

The good news for Prado owners is that all his numbers point to this being a career trend – and not simply a career year or an extended hot streak. He hit more than .300 in both ’08 and ’09, and he’s posted wOBAs of .367 in ’08 and .355 in ’09. Prado’s ’10 wOBA is currently sitting at .367. The big difference this season is that he’s playing more regularly, which means better counting stats, which is great for fantasy managers.

We definitely do want to be cognizant of the fact that Prado has a .365 BABIP, which is on the high side – but not terribly unsustainable in the Austin Jackson realm. Prado’s BABIP was .357 and .331 during the previous two seasons.

Another issue with Prado is the fact that much of his value is tied up in his batting average and, to some degree, runs scored (although he doesn’t walk much – 6.3 BB%). His career high in steals is three (set in ’08) and his ’10 home run output is going to fall in the 12-15 range. He’s also not going to find himself in a run-producing spot in the lineup any time soon.

Second base in an area where you’re not going to generate a ton of value, unless you’re lucky enough to have Cano, Chase Utley or the recently injured Dustin Pedroia. If you currently own the Braves second baseman, don’t let anyone convince you to trade him with the thought that his first half success was a fluke.

If you’re someone who is looking to upgrade at second base and you’re eying Prado, the good news is that his excellent 2010 season has not generate a ton of attention just yet so you may be able to pry him away from a naive fantasy manager without having to sell your soul.

We’re trying a new closers format this week; we’re touching on fewer pitchers, but going into more detail on the ones that we discuss. We looked at some National League stoppers yesterday, and the AL closers are up now.

Neftali Feliz, Texas
Feliz has the AL lead in saves and is tied with San Francisco’s Brian Wilson for second in the Majors with 20 saves. This is all well and good – and darn impressive considering that Feliz is a 22-year-old rookie – but I have my concerns with his workload. The right-hander has appeared in more games and thrown more innings than any other closer in the American League. Only veterans Francisco Cordero (Good ol’ Dusty) and Francisco Rodriguez have been abused more amongst Major League stoppers. In one nine-game stretch in mid-May, Feliz was used six times. This workload has yet to catch up to the young star – and maybe he’ll be OK the entire 2010 season – but it definitely makes me worried for his future.

Bobby Jenks, Chicago
I’ve been talking Jenks up for a few weeks now, and he continues to make me look smart, but there are still a lot of owners out there that will be turned off by his 4.03 ERA and the hit rate of 9.62 H/9. However, Jenks’ strikeout rate (10.86 K/9) is sitting close to his career high set during his rookie season in 2005. His xFIP is also sitting at 2.68 and he’s allowed just one earned run in his last 13 appearances. It’s possible that other fantasy manages have already caught on to the reversal of fortunes but, if not, pounce on Jenks.

Kevin Gregg, Toronto
One of the best things since sliced bread during about the first six weeks of the season, Gregg has come crashing back down to earth (which has all Cubs fans saying “We warned you”). Like Matt Capps in Washington, Gregg could end up being a trade chip during the July trade deadline, but he’s unlikely to end up in a closer’s situation if he does get moved. It’s also possible that Toronto will hold on to him, as his trade value has diminished with his recent struggles, and the organization also has an option on his contract for 2011. Gregg has pitched a little bit better in the last week or so and has gone 4-for-4 in saves since his last blown save, so you might be able to find a taker on the trade market.

Jonathan Papelbon, Boston
Papelbon is owned in just as many Yahoo leagues as Mariano Rivera (98%), but the Yankees closer has been twice as value in traditional 5X5 leagues. He has been one of the best closers in baseball over the previous four seasons, but the 29-year-old closer has just not been himself this season. Papelbon has seen his strikeout rate drop from 10.06 in ’09 to 7.67 K/9 in ’10. His xFIP is almost a full run higher and he’s really been beaten by the long ball (1.71 HR/9). After seeing his WAR value hit 3.0 in ’08, it’s dropped to 1.9 in ’09 and -0.2 so far in ’10. He was touched up for five runs and two blown saves in the recent series with Colorado so you might want to wait a week or two before trying to get something for him in a trade. Papelbon will have value based on his reputation.

Daniel Bard is setting himself up quite nicely to be ready to assume the closer’s role in 2011. The 25-year-old sophomore pitcher has a strikeout rate of 9.39 K/9 and he’s shown significantly-improved control this season. He’s also shown two plus pitches: a 98-mph fastball and a wipe-out slider. Bard has gone 3-for-4 in save opportunities.

We’re trying a new closers format this week; we’re touching on fewer pitchers, but going into more detail on the ones that we discuss. First up are the National League closers.

Billy Wagner, Atlanta
Next to Jonathan Broxton in Los Angeles, Wagner has arguably been the second-best fantasy closer in the NL, despite beginning the year with just two saves prior to May 5. Wagner is a perfect 7-for-7 in saves in the month of June and has 11 strikeouts in 9.1 innings. Oh, and he hasn’t allowed an earned run. That is all very exciting stuff and has increased Wagner’s value significantly, which is why this might be a great time to trade him. The soon-to-be-39-year-old pitcher threw just 15.2 innings in ’09 so there are some questions as to his stamina. A lot of his closer value is also tied up in the 5-0 record that he has, which has basically been a matter of luck and is really not sustainable.

John Axford, Milwaukee
It’s probably a little too late to think about obtaining Axford in a lot of leagues, but he’s still available in more than half of Yahoo leagues; maybe you’ll get lucky and find him sitting on the free agent list. The right-hander has gone 6-for-6 in saves and has struck out 22 batters in 19.0 innings. The club has also been playing well lately (four game winning streak) and faces some easier opponents over the next week in Seattle and Houston.

Brad Lidge, Philadelphia
I know, I know… you’ve probably been burned by Lidge in the past. But look at his 2010 numbers. Now healthy, the veteran pitcher has a strikeout rate of 13.09 K/9 and a walk rate of just 2.45 BB/9 (down from a career mark of 4.03 BB/9). His strikeout pitch, the slider, is still not up to its usual plus level, but it’s been OK and he’s showing improved fastball command. Lidge is not the safest bet, but you have to take some risks to win it all… and Philly should get him a good number of leads to protect over the second half of the season.

Matt Capps, Washington
It was nice while it lasted but Washington is slowly falling out of the race in the NL East. While this isn’t necessarily a bad thing for a closer (a bad team can end up in a lot of close ball games heading into the ninth), but Capps could be headed out of town at the trade deadline (Drew Storen is the closer of the near future). He’s not a bad closer by any means (3.57 FIP, MLB-leading save total) but the former Pirate could end up as a set-up man if he does change uniforms. Capps definitely has real-life trade value thanks to his solid numbers, modest salary and 1+ years remaining before free agency. Don’t just jettison him on waivers; look to deal him for something of value to fill a hole on your roster.

Mariano Rivera | New York Yankees
The Comments: An 0.63 WHIP and 15 saves is pretty impressive for the veteran closer. He’s given up just nine hits in 22.1 innings of work. He’s walked just one batter in the last eight games. Rivera is a great second-half target, as manager Joe Girardi has not over-used him (24 appearances).

Joakim Soria | Kansas City Royals
The Comments: Soria is one of the hottest closers in baseball right now. In his last 13 appearances, he’s been touched up for runs just once (two against Minnesota on June 10). He went 1-for-1 in save opportunities this past week.

Rafael Soriano | Tampa Bay Rays
The Comments: Soriano had a bit of a rest this past week and he appeared in just one game and recorded the save against Florida. He threw just nine pitches and six went for strikes.

Jose Valverde | Detroit Tigers
The Comments: One of the hardest-worked closers in baseball, Valverde continues to benefit from an incredibly-low BABIP at .137. As a result, he’s given up just 10 hits in 29.1 innings of work. He appeared in four games this past week and went 3-for-3 in save opportunities.

Neftali Feliz | Texas Rangers
The Comments: The youngest closer in the league continues to lead in saves. Feliz has successfully clamped down on 18 leads. He saved three more games this past week – all against Florida and the Marlins club did not get a walk or a hit against him.

Jonathan Papelbon | Boston Red Sox
The Comments: Papelbon got into four games this past week, with three coming against Arizona. The veteran right-hander was solid in his first two appearances against the D-Backs, but the club then touched him up for two hits and a run in his third appearance. He went 2-for-2 in save opportunities this past week.

Andrew Bailey | Oakland Athletics
The Comments: Bailey’s save opportunities have dried up again. He hasn’t successfully converted a save since June 3. In fact, he’s only had one opportunity since that time and he blew the save against the Cubs on June 17 – although it was an inherited run that scored.

Bobby Jenks | Chicago White Sox
The Comments: As expected, Jenks’ luck has started to improve and so to have his numbers. His ERA is down to 4.39 (xFIP 2.70), although his BABIP is still high at .405. He was the hottest reliever this past week and went 4-for-4 in save opportunities with six Ks, one walk and one run allowed.

David Aardsma | Seattle Mariners
The Comments: According to WAR, Aardsma has been a neutral pitcher this season, coming in at exactly 0.0 WAR. That’s not what his owners want to hear. In positive news, he was 2-for-2 in save opportunities this past week, so perhaps his luck is changing.

Brian Fuentes | Los Angeles Angels
The Comments: Fuentes has an excellent strikeout rate at 11.34 K/9, which is good because he wants to avoid putting the ball in play as long as he has a ground-ball rate of just 19.5%. He saved two games this past week.

Kevin Gregg | Toronto Blue Jays
The Comments: Despite his warts – which includes a 5.79 BB/9 rate – Gregg is tied with Jon Rauch for second place in saves (17). He saved two games this past week and gave up just one walk and no hits.

Jon Rauch | Minnesota Twins
The Comments: Rauch continues to be one of the most pleasant surprises on the season, as he’s tied for second in saves with 17. He appeared in just one game out of the past seven but recorded a save.

Kerry Wood | Cleveland Indians
The Comments: Wood seems to be doing a little bit better. The veteran pitcher hasn’t allowed a run in three games or a walk in five. He also got a save on June 18… against the Pirates. Wood is showing good velocity but he’s still struggling with his fastball command.

David Hernandez | Baltimore Orioles
The Comments: Since taking over the closer’s role, Hernandez has gone 2-for-3 in saves. He appeared in three games this past week and was 1-for-2 with a meltdown against San Diego in which he allowed two runs.

Jonathan Broxton | Los Angeles Dodgers
The Comments: Broxton continues to be a hot pitcher and his ERA is below 1.00 at 0.92. Even his xFIP is excellent at 1.79. He’d be even more dominant if his BABIP wasn’t high at .371. Broxton did not have a save this past week.

Heath Bell | San Diego Padres
The Comments: Bell is giving up a lot of base runners (9.55 H/9, 3.29 BB/9) but he’s striking batters out at a career-high pace (11.52 K/9). As we can see by his BABIP (.400), the hit total is not indicative of his current skill level. Bell did not have a save this past week.

Brian Wilson | San Francisco Giants
The Comments: Wilson has one of the best strikeout rates amongst closers this side of Carlos Marmol. The right-hander saved two games this past week and recorded four Ks in 3.1 innings of work.

Francisco Rodriguez | New York Mets
The Comments: The ground-ball rate is nothing to write home about (as usual) but Rodriguez has seen his strikeout rate remain solid at 11.46 K/9. He recorded three saves this past week, but he was touched up for two runs in a game against Cleveland on June 15.

Carlos Marmol | Chicago Cubs
The Comments: It’s not everyday that you see a reliever with a higher walk rate (5.58 BB/9) than hit rate (4.11) but that’s what you get with Marmol. If he can ever find the strike zone on a consistent basis, look out. His strikeout rate currently sits at 16.43 K/9. He saved just one game this past week but he didn’t blow a save and he also picked up a win against Oakland.

Billy Wagner | Atlanta Braves
The Comments: Wagner currently has a strikeout rate of 13.33 K/9, so he’s not exactly showing his age (38) right now. He saved two games this past week and did not allow a run in as many appearances.

Ryan Franklin | St. Louis Cardinals
The Comments: Franklin saved two games this past week, but his scoreless streak was stopped at nine games, as the Mariners (His former club) touched him up for a run on June 15.

Francisco Cordero | Cincinnati Reds
The Comments: The veteran closer has slipped down to a tie for third place amongst NL closers for saves (17). Cordero continues to be hittable (9.00 H/9) and his xFIP of 4.07 is nothing to write home about. He did not record a save this week.

John Axford | Milwaukee Brewers
The Comments: Axford’s value has been helped by three wins in just 13 games. The rookie closer has been much more consistent than all-time saves leader Trevor Hoffman, and Axford has yet to blow a save. He did not have an opportunity this past week.

Leo Nunez | Florida Marlins
The Comments: Nunez has walked just six batters in 26.2 innings of work this season. The young closer also continues to have a much-improved strikeout rate of 9.11 K/9, thanks to an improved change-up, which he’s utilizing 44% of the time.

Matt Capps | Washington Nationals
The Comments: Capps is the only big-league reliever to hit the 20-save mark this season. However, the right-hander did not earn a save this past week and, in fact, appeared in just one game.

Matt Lindstrom | Houston Astros
The Comments: Poor command continues to keep Lindstrom from benefiting fully from his 96 mph fastball and his strikeout rate sits at just 7.24 K/9. He appeared in just one game this past week and recorded a save against the Royals.

Brad Lidge | Philadelphia Phillies
The Comments: With an xFIP of 2.60 through 10 games, Lidge has bounced back well from his injury woes. However, his formerly mid-90s fastball is currently sitting in the low-90s. He went 1-for-1 this past week in saves, but was touched up for a run against the Yankees.

Manny Corpas | Colorado Rockies
The Comments: The Rockies organization currently has Corpas and Franklin Morales at the back-end of the bullpen, and Huston Street is also close to returning from rehab. You probably want to avoid this situation until the dust settles. Neither Corpas nor Franklin recorded a save this past week.

Octavio Dotel | Pittsburgh Pirates
The Comments: Despite a strong strikeout rate of 12.04 K/9, Dotel’s ERA is currently sitting at 5.84. He’s given up a lot of hits and walks. He’s given up one earned run in each of his past four appearances.

Aaron Heilman | Arizona Diamondbacks
The Comments: Heilman has assumed the closer’s role after Chad Qualls posted an ERA of more than 8.40 and blew four saves. Don’t get too excited, though. Heilman has an xFIP of 4.67 and a ground-ball rate of just 27.5%.

Eduardo Nunez, SS, New York (AL): After six seasons in the minors, Nunez broke out in 2009 at double-A. The right-hand hitting shortstop has followed that up with another solid performance in triple-A. Nunez, 23, is currently hitting .323/.364/.413 in 254 at-bats. He doesn’t have much power (.091 ISO) but he’s improved his base running and can now take full advantage of his above-average speed; he’s swiped 14 bases in 17 tries. Nunez lacks patience at the plate, as witnessed by his 5.2 BB%, but he also does not strike out much (12.9 K%). A good defensive player with a strong arm, the Dominican native could be a big league shortstop but it probably won’t come with the Yankees as he’s a solid commodity that could help bring in some veteran talent at the trade deadline.

Miguel Velazquez, OF, Texas: Off-the-field problems have slowed Velazquez’ ascent through the Rangers’ depth chart but he’s starting to make some real noise now. Currently playing in low-A ball, the outfielder is hitting .280/.353/.477 in 239 at-bats. He’s shown the ability to hit for a solid average and also possesses good power (.196 ISO) and slightly-above-average speed that has helped him nab 11 bases in 15 tries. Velazquez, 22, also has a strong arm and could eventually move from center field to right field as he fills out and slows down. It would be nice to see him challenged with a move to high-A ball.

Jarred Cosart, RHP, Philadelphia: Cosart won’t be a sleeper for long. A 2008 38th round draft pick out of a Texas high school as a two-way player, the right-hander slid in the draft due to signability concerns, but the organization made a smart move and gave him more than $500,000 to steal him away from the University of Missouri. Currently playing in low-A ball, the 20-year-old hurler has a 3.25 ERA and has given up just 48 hits and 15 walks in 63.2 innings of work. He has the desirable combination of a high strikeout total (73) and a high ground-ball rate (59%). His repertoire includes a mid-90s fastball, a good curveball and a change-up.

Thirteen of the 16 teams in the National League have closers with 10 or more saves so far this season. Washington’s Matt Capps continues to lead the Majors in saves, although he’s been less effective recently.

Jonathan Broxton | Los Angeles Dodgers
The Comments: Broxton is the most valuable reliever is 5X5 fantasy baseball right now and it’s not hard to understand why. The right-hander has a strikeout rate of 13.34 K/9, an 0.95 ERA and a WHIP of 0.92. This past week, he recorded three saves in as many tries.

Heath Bell | San Diego Padres
The Comments: Bell is currently second in the Majors in saves with 17. He also has an outstanding ERA at 1.33, although he’s giving up his fair share of hits. His strikeout rate remains strong at 11.67 K/9. He recorded three saves this past week.

Brian Wilson | San Francisco Giants
The Comments: Wilson is 15-for-17 in save opportunities this season and he has a strikeout rate of 12.62 K/9. Despite the good numbers, he’s still only sixth or seventh in overall fantasy value amongst NL closers… which tells you a whole lot about the quality of the closers in the league.

Francisco Rodriguez | New York Mets
The Comments: Rodriguez has been on a K-tear as of late with 12 strikeouts in his last six appearances. The right-hander saved two games in as many tries this past week.

Carlos Marmol | Chicago Cubs
The Comments: Mr. K had a reserved week; the Cubs’ closer struck out just one batter in three appearances. Even so, he gave up just one hit and one (intentional) walk. All the balls put in play against Marmol this past week – save for one – were ground balls. He went 1-for-2 in save opportunities.

Billy Wagner | Atlanta Braves
The Comments: Wagner has recovered from a slow start to the season to be the second most valuable fantasy closer in the Majors. The veteran has a 4-0 record, 10 saves and a strikeout rate of 14.05 K/9. Oh, and no one can hit him (5.18 H/9), either. He went 1-for-1 in save opportunities this past week and recorded strikeouts on five of his nine outs.

Ryan Franklin | St. Louis Cardinals
The Comments: So much for ’09 being a fluke. The veteran right-hander has proven that he can be a legitimate closer in the NL. Franklin has 10 saves in 11 tries, although he hasn’t had an opportunity since May 20. He’s given up just two hits (and no walks) during that span, totaling 8.0 innings and five appearances.

Chad Qualls | Arizona Diamondbacks
The Comments: Here are some ugly stats: 7.77 ERA, 14.73 H/9 and 4 BS. Here are some positive signs: .458 BABIP-allowed, 55 GB% and 3.56 xFIP. In other words, it’s been a rough year but Qualls isn’t as bad as he seems to be; look for a smart GM to try and acquire him to shore up the seventh/eighth innings for a playoff-bound team.

Octavio Dotel | Pittsburgh Pirates
The Comments: The most impressive stat that Dotel has is the strikeout rate at 12.73 K/9. His walk rate is high, as is the hit rate. His xFIP is 4.14 and he’s giving up a ton of fly balls, as witnessed by the 26% ground-ball rate. Dotel appeared in two games this past week but did not have a save opportunity.

Leo Nunez | Florida Marlins
The Comments: Nunez continues to flash an impressive WHIP at 0.93. The King Fish also has a nice xFIP at 2.88. He made just one appearance this past week and recorded the save.

Matt Capps | Washington Nationals
The Comments: As mentioned above, Capps hasn’t been as strong recently. This past week, he went 3-for-4 in save opportunities and gave up six hits in 3.2 innings of work. His hit rate is quite high right now at 11.05 H/9 and his BABIP-allowed sits at .361.

Francisco Cordero | Cincinnati Reds
The Comments: Cordero continues to suffer from a high WHIP at 1.50 and ERA at 3.90, which significantly diminishes the value in his 17 saves. He made four appearances this past week and went 1-for-2 in saves opportunities while also giving up five hits and two walks in 4.0 innings.

John Axford | Milwaukee Brewers
The Comments: Axford, 27, has been a real find for the Brewers. The Canadian hurler has a strikeout rate of 10.29 K/9 and a ground-ball rate of 47%. His fastball sits in the mid-90s and he’s also shown good command of two breaking balls (slider and curve). He’s gone 4-for-4 in save opportunities since replacing Trevor Hoffman.

Matt Lindstrom | Houston Astros
The Comments: Lindstrom continues to see a lot of balls find holes, as he has a BABIP-allowed of .372 and a hit rate of 10.94 H/9. The right-hander was pretty good this past week with three saves in as many tries.

Brad Lidge and Jose Contreras | Philadelphia Phillies
The Comments: Lidge, back from injury, went 2-for-2 in save opportunities and appeared in three games without allowing a run. Contreras currently sports a K/BB rate of 5.00 and he’s a perfect 3-for-3 as the club’s closer. This past week, he appeared in three games but did not have a save opportunity.

Manny Corpas | Colorado Rockies
The Comments: With Huston Street currently on a minor-league rehab assignment, Corpas’ window of opportunity could be a small one. The young hurler appeared in four games this past week and went 2-for-3 in save opportunities. Impressively, he hasn’t walked a batter in 14 appearances.

There is currently a four-way tie for the most saves at the top of the American League. There are 11 pitchers that have 10 or more saves.

Rafael Soriano | Tampa Bay Rays
The Comments: Not only did the Braves organization give away its 2010 first round draft pick to sign Billy Wagner, it basically gave away Rafael Soriano, who has basically been just as valuable this season (from a 5X5 fantasy perspective). Soriano is currently the top ranked reliever in the AL and has yet to blow a save this season in 15 tries. He pitched just one-third of an inning this past week.

Jose Valverde | Detroit Tigers
The Comments: Valverde is currently the second most valuable reliever is standard 5X5 leagues despite pedestrian strikeout numbers; he’s aided by an outstanding ERA and a strong WHIP. His xFIP sits at 3.56, and he’s been helped by a .136 BABIP and 96.6 LOB%.

Mariano Rivera | New York Yankees
The Comments: Rivera has come on strong as of late and now has 14 saves – and he’s 7-for-7 in saves since May 21. That’s also the last time he allowed an earned run.

Neftali Feliz | Texas Rangers
The Comments: Feliz is tied for the league lead in saves and he’s been the third most valuable AL closer so far this season. After being worked pretty hard recently, Feliz appeared in just two games this past week and recorded one save.

Joakim Soria | Kansas City Royals
The Comments: Soria continues to put up strong numbers. His K/BB rate sits at 5.00 and he has an 11.91 K/9 strikeout rate. Soria went 1-for-1 in save opportunities this past week but he was touched up for two runs against Minnesota on June 10.

Jon Rauch | Minnesota Twins
The Comments: Although he sits atop the league in saves, Rauch is a little ways down the chart in terms of overall fantasy value. This comes as a result of his low strikeout rate, as well as a modest WHIP and ERA. He went 2-for-2 this past week in save opportunities.

Andrew Bailey | Oakland Athletics
The Comments: Bailey’s save numbers have improved but something is going to give unless he improves these three numbers: 5.76 K/9, 38.7 GB%, and .227 BABIP. He’s putting a lot of balls in play and a lot of those are in the air; so far, though, the home run ball has not hurt him. Bailey did not record a save this past week and he took a loss against the Twins on June 4.

Jonathan Papelbon | Boston Red Sox
The Comments: You have to wonder is Papelbon is hurting. The right-handed veteran reliever has a career strikeout rate of 10.20 but it currently sits at 7.13 K/9. As well, his walk rate has gone from 1.04 in ’08 to 3.18 to 4.50 BB/9 in ’10. He’s struggled mightily with his previously plus fastball, and his numbers have been helped significantly by a .198 BABIP. His xFIP sits at 5.02.

Bobby Jenks | Chicago White Sox
The Comments: Jenks went 2-for-2 in save opportunities this past week and did not allow a run. He also hasn’t given up a walk in five games, and his strikeout rate remains strong at 11.05 K/9.

Kerry Wood | Cleveland Indians
The Comments: Things just aren’t looking good for Wood, who has a 9.58 ERA and a walk rate of 6.10 BB/9. He went 1-for-2 in save opportunities this past week. Cleveland clearly needs to try something different, which could include handing the save opportunities back to Chris Perez.

David Aardsma | Seattle Mariners
The Comments: Oh, how the mighty have fallen. On of the closer leaders for much of April and into May, Aardsma has fallen on hard times and his ERA is up to 5.21. He was touched up again on June 6 by the Angels for three runs in two-thirds of an inning. Aardsma has recorded just one save since May 26.

Brian Fuentes | Los Angeles Angels
The Comments: The Angels’ closer has had a rough year. He’s blown three saves in 11 tries and his ERA currently sits a 5.52. Fuentes also has an incredibly-low 18.9% ground-ball rate, which has led to some fairly pronounced home-run issues (3.07 HR/9). However, he’s currently posting one of the highest strikeout rates of his career (11.66 K/9).

Kevin Gregg | Toronto Blue Jays
The Comments: The walk rate has spiked all the way up to 5.88 BB/9 and Gregg cannot make it through an inning without putting at least two base runners on (each of his past four appearances) but went 1-for-1 in save opportunities this past week. Interestingly, almost all of his struggles this season have come against the best teams in the league (Tampa Bay, New York, Boston… and then Seattle).

David Hernandez | Baltimore Orioles
The Comments: The game of musical closer chairs continues, although the organization may have finally gotten it right this time. I’m one of the bigger David Hernandez fans out there and I think interim manager Juan Samuel has made a smart decision; Hernandez has always appeared well-suited for a relief role.